NCPA Commentaries by John C Goodman

Dr. John C. Goodman, President and founder of the NCPA and Kellye Wright Fellow, is known as the father of Health Savings Accounts and was dubbed by National Journal as "a winner of the devolution derby." He is one of the nation's leading health economists and health policy experts. Dr. Goodman regularly briefs members of Congress on these issues and is the author of nine books.

A left-leaning federal judge in Texas ruled recently that the Medicaid system in the state was not to his liking, and ordered changes. This isn't too surprising, as activist judges in Texas have a history of attempting to take over everything from prisons to schools.

Tax credits for health insurance is not a new idea. A refundable tax credit for low-income families became part of the tax code in 1990, primarily due to the efforts of Texas Senator Lloyd Bentsen. Very few families took advantage of this tax subsidy, however (because of mechanical problems discussed below), and the tax credit was repealed a few years later.

To listen to some politicians speak one might get the impression that the only way seniors can get prescription drug coverage is for Washington to add a large new benefit onto Medicare. This is simply not so.

To listen to some politicians speak, one might get the impression that the only way seniors can get prescription drug coverage is for Washington to add a large new benefit to Medicare. This is simply not so.

The federal government "spends" about $125 billion in tax subsidies each year, encouraging people to buy private health insurance. Yet the number of people without insurance has reached 44 million and continues to grow. Why?

Congratulations to Bill Bradley. He is the first credible presidential candidate to call for abolishing Medicaid, a program historically plagued by waste, inefficiency, fraud and questionable quality of care.